Breitling Superocean AutomaticvsRolex Sea-Dweller

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Measurements

Catalog photos are all shot at the same flattering size. These aren't: every case below shares one millimeter scale.

Breitling Superocean Automatic at true scale

Superocean Automatic

Rolex Sea-Dweller at true scale

Sea-Dweller

Diameter

42mm

43mm

Thickness

12.6mm

n/a

Water Resistance

300m

1220m

highest

Power Reserve

38h

70h

highest

MSRP

$7,800

lowest

$14,550

Movement

Breitling Caliber 17

3235

Case

7 specs
Diameter
42mm
43mm
Thickness
12.56mm
n/a
Lug Width
n/a
n/a
Material
Stainless Steel & 18k Red Gold
Oystersteel
Finish
Stainless steel
n/a
Water Resistance
300m
1220m
Caseback
n/a
Monobloc middle case, screw-down case back and winding crown

Crystal & Dial

4 specs
Crystal Shape
n/a
Flat
Dial Color
n/a
Black
Indices
n/a
Index
Lume
None
Chromalight

Movement

5 specs
Caliber
Breitling Caliber 17
3235
Beat Rate
0 vph
28,800 vph
Power Reserve
38h
70h
Jewels
0
31
Complications
None
Date

Pricing

1 specs
MSRP
$7,800
$14,550
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Reviews

Synthesized for each watch independently from owner discussions, enthusiast forums, written reviews, and video reviewers.

Breitling Superocean Automatic

Owners widely praise the Breitling Superocean Automatic for its stunning aesthetics, with specific mentions of its blue ceramic bezel and white dial with blue accents, and the incredible, more interesting-in-person look of the bronze variant. Reviewers and owners alike highlight its excellent build quality and comfortable bracelet, with one owner noting the slim profile and short lugs of a sibling variant make its larger case wear well. The ceramic bezel turns with satisfying clicks and is easy to operate, and the textured dial with chunky lumed hands offers legibility. Some owners find the approximately 42-hour power reserve inconvenient. On balance, owners and reviewers rate the Breitling Superocean Automatic highly for its striking design and robust build quality.

Rolex Sea-Dweller

Owners widely praise the Rolex Sea-Dweller's matte dial, with red lettering being called the best dial on a modern Rolex by some. Many find it wears smaller than its 43mm size suggests, offering a substantial presence that some prefer over the Submariner. However, its thickness and 215-gram weight are noted as drawbacks, with some owners finding it too large and chunky for smaller wrists, best suited for larger wrists. The presence of a cyclops on newer models is a point of contention, with some owners finding it detracts from the watch's aesthetic, while others appreciate its absence. Overall, owners and reviewers consider the Rolex Sea-Dweller a superior, masculine dive watch, particularly for those with larger wrists, due to its robust build and distinctive dial.